Retractable recirculating toilet system module

ABSTRACT

A novel toilet system is disclosed which is alternatively operable on a recirculating fluid supply or an external water supply. In a specific embodiment, the toilet retracts into a wall fixture and combines a movable bowl member with a fixed receiver member. Separate flush lines clean the bowl and the receiver when in the retracted configuration.

United States Patent Katona 5] Dec. 25, 1973 RETRACTABLE RECIRCULATINGTOILET 754,733 3/1904 SYSTEM MODULE 2,443,214 6/1948 2,725,575 12/1955[75] Inventor: William F. Katona, Northndge, 1750599 6 1956 Calif.2,794,988 6/ I 957 2,799,864 7 1957 [73] Assignee: Monogram Industries,Inc., Los 2326362 311958 Angeles, Callf. 2.879.519 3/1959 [22] Filed:Apr. 22, 1971 H K A Primary Examiner enry rtis [2]] Appl. No.: 136,473Attorney-William A. Kemmel, Jr. Casimir A.

Related U.S. Application Data Miketta [62] Division of Ser. No. 43,450,June 4, 1970, Pat. No.

3,593,346. [57] ABSTRACT A novel toilet system is disclosed which isalternatively [52] U.S. Cl. 4/10, 4/77 1 v t l 51 1111. c1 E03d 11/12,1203a 11/10 a reclrculatmg supply or an ex em [58] Field of Search 4/10,78, 76, 80, P

4/89, 90 H5, H1, 116 In a speclfic embodiment, the tollet retracts mto awall fixture and combines a movable bowl member with a [56] ReferencesCited fixed receiver member. Separate flush lines clean the UNITEDSTATES PATENTS bowl anti the receiver when in the retractedconfiguration. 587,735 8/l897 lves 4/77 3,436,764 4/1969 Colonna... 4/76X 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 3,042,933 7/1962 Garvar 4/8 7 1 ill? Q 0 D0 Q 0 (D Q Q Q 0 \l r /l A F W I w f L o e Lfl/ w #5 PATENTED EH12 5I975 SHEEIZUFB RETRACTABLE RECIRCULATING TOILET SYSTEM MODULE This is adivisional application of application Ser. No. 43,450, filed June 4,1970 now US. Pat. No. 3,593,346, issued .luly 20, 1972.

The present invention relates to toilet arrangements and, moreparticularly, a toilet sytem suitable for installation in housetrailers, trains, boats, buses, aircraft or in other mobile, semimobileor even stationary installations.

In recent years, the popularity of recreational vehicles has increasedsubstantially and it has been deemed desirable to provide self-containedsanitation facilities within such vehicles. Basically, two types oftoilet systems have been developed to meet this need. A first type isthe closed system, recirculating toilet unit such as is described in thePatents to W.F. Katona et aL, No. 3,356,221 and N. .l. Palmer, Pats.Nos. 3,458,049 and 3,473,171. A second, more conventional, type isconnected to the vehicle water supply system and empties into a holdingtank.

The second type is marked by several disadvantages. Primarily, thestorage capacities of the water supply tank and the holding tank imposelimitations upon the usage of the system and, further, the availablewater supply is exhausted at a disproportionate rate. Mobility and rangeare restricted by the need for frequent emptying of the holding tank.

These disadvantages are avoided by the first type of system whichneither diminishes the fresh water supply nor requires a large holdingtank or the frequent drainage of a smaller tank. As taught in the abovepatents, the liquid in the tank is filtered and recirculated by anelectric pump. As a result, the system can be operated for a number ofcycles without attention.

Considering such recreational vehicles as campers, trailers and pleasureboats, in particular, extensive facilities are now available thatprovide connections to electrical power, running water, and wastedisposal facilities. Under such circumstances, it wuld be desirable tohave a system of the first type when such facilities are not available,as, for example, while in transit, and a system of the second typeavailable while at the facility. It was therefore considered desirableto have a sanitation system that could be alternatively operable as arecirculating system or as a more conventional, running water flushsystem.

According to the present invention, a toilet system of the first typesuch as is described in the above mentioned patents, includes a flushsystem which alternatively receives flushing liquid from a running watersystem or a recirculating system, the selection of which is made priorto use. A foot pedal is provided which opens a mechanical seal assembly,a flush valve, and also energizes a miniature, snap-action switch.

The use of a floor-mounted" toilet unit, such as is described in theabove patents represents an intrusion into the available living" space.In the larger vehicles, this presents no great problem and can beaccepted. However, in smaller vehicles such as campers and trailers andin small pleasure boats, it has been deemed desirable to have thesanitation facilities occupying a minimum of floor" area and,accordingly, some form of folding or disappearing toilet would appear tobe desirable.

In the past, folding or disappearing" toilet installation have beenemployed in cabins on passenger vessels, where the allocated space wasinsufficient for bathroom accommodations. Similar installations havebeen made in the private compartments of railroad cars. Generally, suchtoilet facilities included a conventinal toilet which was unfolded priorto use. The toilet flushed from the available running water supply anddrained into the normal waste disposal system. In operation, the fushingof the toilet was accomplished before the unit was folded into itscompartment.

In a preferred emboidment of the present invention, a disappearingtoilet system can be installed in some 9 inches of depth and, in variousmodels, can be combined with a lavatory, a vanity, and a portable showerand shower pan. Such a unit permits the selection of either arecirculating flush system or a running water flush system, dependingupon the setting of a control selector lever.

A foot pedal is provided which initiates and controls the flushingoperation and the lever is so positioned that the toilet is retractedbefore flushing.

The toilet system includes a folding bowl having a flush manifold and astationary, receiving bowl mounted within the system and having aseparate flush manifold. The folding bowl acts as a temporary receptacleand discharges its contents into the receiver when the bowl is foldedinto its storage position. Operation of the foot pedal initiates theflushing action which separately flushes both the folding bowl and thereceiver.

Operation of the foot pedal first opens a mechanical seal and, at thelower limit of travel, energizes a miniature, snap-action switch andopens a flushing valve. If the recirculaing system has been selected bya lever, then the running water supply valve has been closed and thepump motor circuit has been enabled. Similarly, if a running watersystem has been selected, then the motor circuit is disabled and thewater supply valve is opened.

An interlock switch may be provided so that the toilet cannot be flushedunless the bowl is folded into its storage configuration to preventinadvertent splashing during the flush operation, especially if ahigh-volume flow is provided from the running water source. A foldingsupport member can be included in the bowl unit to reduce the mechanicalsupport requirement on the hinge system.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of theinvention, both as to organization and method of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof will be better understoodfrom the following description considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which several preferred embodiments of theinvention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expresslyunderstood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose ofillustration and description only and are not intended as a definitionof the limits of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a folding toilet system according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the folding toilet system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the folding toilet system with the toilet bowlfolded out for use;

FIG. 4 is a view of a portion of the flushing valve assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the selection switch assembly of the toiletsystem of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative mechanical seal useful in thesystem of FIG. 1.

Turning to FIGS. 1 through 3, there is shown an embodiment of the dualmode toilet of the present invention which is designed to occupy aminimum of floor space in a recreational vehicle. FIGS. 1 and 2 show thefront and rear, respectively, of one model of such a dual mode toiletsystem, with the toilet bowl in the retracted or folded configuration.

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown a wall mounted toilet system 110which is adapted to be installed in a vehicle. The system includes apump filter combination 112 (as seen in FIG. 2) a selector switch 114and a holding tank 118 which, for convenience is mounted below the floorof the vehicle. The toilet includes a retractable bowl unit 122 whichhas a seat 124 hingedly mounted thereon.

A foot pedal 128 is provided for operation of the flushing system. Theflush pedal 128 is connected to a pivot member 130 and through a seriesof linkages and earns, controls an electrical flush switch 140', amechanical seal 164' and a flush valve 168. The external source ofrunning water is applied to the system at a water inlet 148 whichconnects to the flush valve 168.

The output of the flush valve 168 is applied to a water pipe 132, whichis connected to a selector valve assembly 134, which is a part of theselector switch mechanism 1 14, shown in greater detail in FIG. 6,below. An antisiphon, vacuum breaker element 136, is also provided toenable use of the system with the running water supply.

The flush output of the filter pump 112 is applied to a flexible tubing150 to a diverter valve 90 disclosed in the parent application. Thediverter valve 90 is also coupled to a second flexible tube 152 to theselector valve assembly 134 to receive the water flow therefrom. Inaddition to the retractable bowl unit 122, there is also a receiver bowlassembly 126, which is permanently emplaced within the unit, and whichconnects, through the mechanical seal 164, to the holding tank 118. Afirst flush manifold in the retractable bowl 154 is coupled to thediverter valve 90 through a flexible tube, and a second flush manifold156 in the receiver bowl 126 is connected to the diverter valve 90through a flexible member 158.

A manually operated, support leg 160 is mounted on the front of the bowlunit 122 and supports the seat and bowl when in the unfolded position.The support leg 160 is a convenient member for bringing the seat out ofthe folded configuration. The bowl 122, in use, is intended to be atemporary receptacle. When there is no further need for the toilet andbefore the flushing operation has been commenced, the bowl unit 122 isreturned to the folded configuration and the contents, temporarilystored therein, are free to flow into the receiver bowl 126.

Actuation of the pedal 128 opens the mechanical seal 164 into theholding tank 118 permitting a drainage of the contents of the receiverbowl 126. At the limit of pedal travel, both the electrical flush switch140 and the mechanical flush valve 168 are actuated. Depend ing upon theselection made at the selector switch 114, either the electrical systemto the pump filter 1 12 is disabled or the selector switch control valve134 is disabled. Whichever system is operating, furnishes flushingliquid to the diverter valve and then into the bowl unit 122 and thereceiver bowl 126 to clean the interior thereof.

Turning next to FIG. 4, there is shown in somewhat greater detail, thefoot pedal operated flushing mechanisms. Flush valve 168 applies runningwater to the pipe 132 that leads to the selector valve 134. At the sametime, at the extreme of pedal travel, a cam member 144 operates theelectric flush switch which may be a miniature snap-action switch.

The flush valve 168 includes a rotating member with a return spring tomaintain the valve in the normally closed configuration. An extension ofthe foot pedal 128, includes a lever arm 146 which operates flush valvelever 148. A separate linkage assembly 166 connected to the foot pedallever also operates the mechanical seal 164.

In FIG. 5, there is shown an alternative mechanical 64' which is usefulin the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3 and which may be adapted for usewith the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 of the parent application. Thismechanical seal includes a hinged gate member 76' which is mounted belowa gasket assembly 78' having an orifice 84' which is occluded by thegate member 76'.

The gate member 76' is mounted by means of a spring-loaded pivot 80' andis coupled for actuation to a pedal 28 through a linkage 166' thatfastens to an actuating lever 86. As indicated in the dottedconfiguration, depression of the pedal 28 through the linkage 166'operates the lever 86' which pivotally rotates the gate member 76'against the force of the biased pivot 80 opening the orifice 84 toenable communication between the tank and the bowl.

Turning finally to FIG. 6, there is shown in a side view the selectorswitch assembly 114 which is employed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1through 3. Shown in greater detail is the water supply line 132 whichconnects to the selector valve 134 and the vacuum breaker antisiphonvalve 116. As shown, a selector lever 170, which is accessible from theusers side of the system, can be placed in one of two positions forselecting either running water or recirculating operation. The switchlever 170 is mounted to a control shaft 172 which includes a cam member174. The shaft 172 also controls the selecting valve 134 to open orclose the valve to the flow of water.

The cam member 174 is positioned to actuate a miniature snap-actionswitch 176 which is in the electrical circuit between the flush switch140 and the filter pump 112.

In the position that selects the running water system, the selectorswitch lever 170 is turned to an orientation that rotates the shaft 172to open the selecting valve 134 and, at the same time, the cam member174 places the switch 176 in the open circuit condition. Placing theselector switch lever 170 in the position to operate the recirculatingsystem, the shaft 172 is rotated to a position that closes the selectorvalve 134 and the cam member 174 engages the swithc 176 to a closedcircuit configuration.

Depending upon the configuration of the selector switch lever 170,energization of the pedal 128 will close the electric flushing switch140 and open the flushing valve 168. If the recirculating system hasbeen selected, the selector valve 134 and electrical switch 176 will beclosed and the filter pump 1 12 will operate.

Alternatively, in the running water selection mode, the electric switch176 will be open circuited and the selecting valve will pass water fromthe supply line 132. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art thata foot operated pedal is not essential to the present invention and thatother means might be devised for opening the mechanical seal andoperating the electric flush switch and the flush valve. Othervariations and combinations will appear to those skilled in the art.

Thus, there has been described and shown a folding toilet system hasbeen described in which the bowl member is hingedly mounted to a wallsurface and may be manually unfolded from the wall for use. Apermanently emplaced receiver bowl assembly remains within the wall andappropriate flush manifolds clean both the bowl and the receiving bowlduring the flushing operation with the seat folded into its storedconfiguration.

What I claim as new is:

l. A toilet system module comprising:

a. an enclosure for housing the toilet system;

b. a first, toilet bowl pivotally mounted on said enclosure forsubstantially vertical storage therein;

c. a second, receiver bowl fixedly mounted within said enclosure andpositioned to be adjacent said toilet bowl and in fluid communicationtherewith; and

d. flush manifold means coupled to said toilet bowl and said receiverbowl for applying flushing liquid to both said toilet bowl and saidreceiver bowl.

2. The toilet system module of claim 1, above, wherien said first toiletbowl includes a pivotal support member cooperable with a surface forsupporting said first member in the substantially horizontalconfiguration of normal use.

3. The toilet system module of claim 1, above, further includingmechanical seal means mounted on said second, receiver bowl and saidseal means being operable for emptying the contents of said receiverbowl.

4. The toilet system module of claim 3, above, further including flushcontrol means coupled to said mechanical seal means and said flushmanifold means, said flush control means operating said mechanical sealmeans and providing flushing liquid to said flush manifold means,whereby said toilet and receiver bowls are flushed, by applying flushingliquid to both of said bowls, said toilet bowl draining into saidreceiver bowl and said receiver bowl draining through said mechanicalseal means.

1. A toilet system module comprising: a. an enclosure for housing thetoilet system; b. a first, toilet bowl pivotally mounted on saidenclosure for substantially vertical storage therein; c. a second,receiver bowl fixedly mounted wiThin said enclosure and positioned to beadjacent said toilet bowl and in fluid communication therewith; and d.flush manifold means coupled to said toilet bowl and said receiver bowlfor applying flushing liquid to both said toilet bowl and said receiverbowl.
 2. The toilet system module of claim 1, above, wherien said firsttoilet bowl includes a pivotal support member cooperable with a surfacefor supporting said first member in the substantially horizontalconfiguration of normal use.
 3. The toilet system module of claim 1,above, further including mechanical seal means mounted on said second,receiver bowl and said seal means being operable for emptying thecontents of said receiver bowl.
 4. The toilet system module of claim 3,above, further including flush control means coupled to said mechanicalseal means and said flush manifold means, said flush control meansoperating said mechanical seal means and providing flushing liquid tosaid flush manifold means, whereby said toilet and receiver bowls areflushed, by applying flushing liquid to both of said bowls, said toiletbowl draining into said receiver bowl and said receiver bowl drainingthrough said mechanical seal means.